During the gaffer’s time at Anfield, he moulded the teenager’s career and set him on the path to stardom.

Not afraid to pitch him into the Reds' starting line-up alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, Rodgers’ vote of confidence opened doors which the kid dribbled stylishly through to hit the big time.

Sterling is now in the elite bracket of footballers, but is quick to acknowledge the part played by his mentor in the trajectory of his life and his career.

He said: “Brendan is someone who gave me my full chance in the Premier League, gave me loads of starts and a lot of confidence from that.

“He was massive for me. Every manager I worked with I tried to learn as much as I could from. He’s one I definitely did learn a lot off.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

“Credit to him, he was a fantastic guy and it’ll be good to see him again and I wish him well.

“When he first moved from Liverpool, I spoke to him then. I spoke to him two or three times since that.

“I’ve changed my phone number a couple of times, so I haven’t got his new number. Hopefully when I see him I’ll get it.

“But, on the day, it all comes down to trying to win that football match.”

City are, obviously, mammoth favourites to win at Parkhead.

With 10 successive wins under their belts including a MatchDay One spanking of Borussia Moenchengladbach, Guardiola’s side are out to inflict more Euro pain on the Hoops after their 7-0 battering in Barcelona.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers (Image: Craig Williamson/SNS Group)

However, while the entire continent expects nothing less than a City success, Sterling is very wary of a Celtic reaction from their Nou Camp hell.

He said: “I’ve watched a few of their league games and the Champions League game. We know what they can do and that they’ve got players who can score goals.